Learning to Program

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hi,
I am interested in programming, but my schedule is full at school and I am not able to take any computer science classes in school for my junior year. However, in my senior year I want to take AP Computer Science and in my school students have to have a knowledge of Java programming going into the class. Right now, I have virtually no experience, but I would like to learn Java and have a solid grasp on it. </p>

<p>What would be the best way to learn Java?
Should I learn another programming language before Java?
How much Java do I need to know going into Computer Science?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Well… Java is fairly simple depending on the type of person and how you think.
It’s simple enough to be a good first language to learn.</p>

<p>So… there are tons of Java tutorials on the internet.</p>

<p>and then there’s the site thenewboston.com.</p>

<p>In AP CS, I’m pretty sure they’re gonna teach what’s in the AP Java subset which is on the collegeboard.</p>

<p>You’re going to learn some going into the class.</p>

3

<p>I’ve been thinking about learning some programming languages myself…</p>

<p>There are a lot of books as well as tutorials on the internet to learn programming. </p>

<p>If you don’t know what to language learn first, I’ve heard Python is the easiest if you have zero experience.</p>

4

<p>I just downloaded the Blue Pelican Java book for free. What do you think of this?</p>

5

<p>Heard it’s good. See the results.</p>

6

<p>be a man and code some assembly</p>

<p>even my grandmother manages her own memory you lazy bums</p>

7

<p>Assembly’s a pain in the ass.</p>

<p>Yes there are many capabilities, but look how long it took back then.</p>

8

<p>^^ haha</p>

9

<p>Assembly? [*Real[/I</a>] programmers](<a href=“http://xkcd.com/378/][I]Real[/I”>xkcd: Real Programmers) directly flip the individual bits using nothing but the flap of a butterfly’s wings.</p>

<p>Also, I’ve always felt like learning a programming language for the first time is easier when you have someone explaining why you’re doing things the way you’re doing them, instead of relying on a book which might not guard against poor coding habits. There are a few forums out there centered around learning how to code.</p>

10

<p>Buy a “for dummies” book. At least that’s what Dustin Moskovitz did.</p>